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“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” ~ Mark Twain

Batanes' oldest Ivatan house

Date taken: September 17, 2007

Also known as the House of Dakay, it is believed that this is the oldest house in Batanes. This was built in 1887 and the only stone house that was left after a strong earthquake that hit Batanes on September 13, 1918. Its walls are made of layers of corals and stones and are two-feet thick, which could stand the pounding of strong winds during typhoons. It is located in the town of Ivana.

When I took these photos last September 17, 2007, it was 3 days after the anniversary of the earthquake and the house was exactly 120 years old. Auntie Ida (Ivatans or locals commonly call elders, auntie) or Florestida Estrella, then 81, owns the house. I do not know if she is still alive. If it were so, she would be 85 by now, and the house is now 124 years old.

Does anybody know if she is still alive?

By the way, my apologies for the poor shots. I was then a noob in photography with just a 4 megapixel Olympus point and shoot in my hand.

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Admin/Author

Aside from my day job, I love photography and storytelling. Going places--be it a cliche destination or the far side of the road--stoke and free my soul. I dig deeper into the people’s psyche, culture and ethnicity, and heritage. I love to observe how they thrive and build social institutions, preserve their culture and traditions.

11 comments
:

yes. lola ida is still alive but she's very weak the last time i saw her. even if she's sick she still has the energy to entertain and greet her guests whenever someone visits her place. i hope she gets better.